Police, government ripped for not consulting with black community over violence

Police, government ripped for not consulting with Toronto black community over violence

Leaders of Toronto’s African-Canadian community criticized all levels of government for what they say is a failure to include them in discussions of gun violence prevention.

“Neither the Prime Minister nor the Premier, nor the Minister of Child and Youth Services, nor the Mayor, nor the Chief of Police has had the good sense to meet with African-Canadian leaders to address this crisis (of gun violence),” said Margaret Parsons of the African Canadian Legal clinic. She was speaking Thursday at the Don Montgomery Community Centre, a facility that until a year ago housed a shooting range.

The critique comes after a shooting in the city’s east-end left two dead, 14-year-old Shyanne Charles and 23-year-old Joshua Yasay, and 23 injured at a block party Monday night.

African Canadians want action in the form of “long-term, sustained investment and social development programs,” Ms. Parsons said.

The most pointed criticism came from councillor Adam Vaughan (Trinity Spadina), who attacked Mayor Rob Ford’s call for tougher punishments for criminals and gangs.

If all they want to do is talk about jails, they can go to hell

“If we’re about to send the Mayor to Ottawa and Queen’s Park after he has refused to go along with council’s initiatives on these sorts of things [community projects], we’re in big trouble,” Mr. Vaughan said. “If all they want to do is talk about jails, they can go to hell.”

Councillor Paul Ainslie (Scarborough East), who’s riding the Monday shooting took place in, was more muted in his comments as he called on government to implement what past studies have already suggested.

“I’ve always said that I’m not a big fan of reports or commissions or more studies. I think we hit that plateau a long time ago,” Mr. Ainslie said.

Ms. Parsons said her legal clinic supports Mr. Vaughan’s proposed city-wide ammunition ban. The proposed law would ban the sale of ammunition within city limits. Mr. Vaughan’s call for the ban came in response to the gang-related Easton’s Centre shooting on June 2 which killed two people and injured several others including a 13-year-old boy and a pregnant woman.